University of Houston experiencing record enrollment

Published 11:00 pm, Monday, September 15, 2014

Preliminary fall enrollment at the University of Houston, based on the 12th day of classes, is 40,959, the largest in the history of the institution. It represents a growth of 3.6 percent over last fall. There are 32,980 undergraduates and 7,979 graduate students enrolled. Among the undergraduates are 4,057 first-time-in-college students who make up the most impressive freshman class in UH history, based on SAT scores.

“We are continuing to broaden our overall excellence, which includes enhancing the undergraduate education experience and improving our college completion rate. Given the added benefit of experiencing our dynamic city, Houston, I am not surprised that the best and the brightest have chosen to enroll at UH,” said UH President Renu Khator. “Our record enrollment reflects the undeniable, palpable energy on display on our campus. It is an exciting time to be a Cougar.”

Through strategic graduation-based recruiting procedures, UH is focused on recruiting quality students and graduating them in a timely manner. Nearly half of incoming freshmen have enrolled in UHin4, a comprehensive plan for on-time graduation in four years. These students opted for the plan’s four-year, fixed-rate tuition plan. To support and guide students on their journey to four-year graduation, UH is committed to ensuring course availability and providing resources including academic maps, academic advisers, annual degree progress evaluations, and degree planning and monitoring tools. The goal is to save students time and money.

Incoming freshman are taking an average of 14.44 semester credit hours this fall, up from 14 hours last fall, and well above the undergraduate average of 12.06 semester credit hours. UHin4, along with strong performing freshman and transfer classes, lays a strong foundation to achieve the goal of improved retention and graduation rates.

“We are pleased that students are opting for UHin 4,” said Paula Myrick Short, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “UHin4 is good for the students and for the University, as more and more emphasis is being put on performance-based funding. We will continue to evaluate innovative and impactful programs that increase student success, including graduation rates, and contribute to a positive student experience.”

This fall is also monumental in the number of students living on campus. UH remains the second largest university in Texas in residential capacity.